Hill Country Observer

AUDIO: Fred Daley of Hill Country Observer on WBTN

Listen to Hill Country Observer Editor Fred Daley interviewed on WBTN-AM on Tues., June 29, 2010. Click on the carat of the bar below to launch an audio stream, (29 mins.) or download an MP3 podcast for offline listening. (7MB)
 

Rise of the chain hotels

The region's resort towns are known for the charm of their many inns and small motels, but lately these independent lodging establishments have been seeing new competition from brand-name chains. Some say the chain hotels will attract a new class of travelers, but others fear a homogenization of the region's hospitality industry. FULL STORY

City's decline and revival are the stuff of poetry

Joe Manning has written three books based on his observations of North Adams, Mass., a city he says has become "my muse and my obsession." FULL STORY

Hot summer makes for smoggier air

The summer's hot weather led to an increase in the number of days of unhealthy ozone levels in New York and Massachusetts. FULL STORY

Village, peace activists clash over sign of the times

A sign detailing the human and financial costs of the war in Iraq has set off a clash between peace activists and village officials in Chatham, N.Y., and led to the creation of a village ordinance regulating public displays on the village green. FULL STORY

Editorial: A higher standard for local elections

The results of municipal elections this year in New York and Massachusetts could have a big impact on the future development of our region, but these local elections still tend to be an insiders' game. CLICK HERE

Opinion: Wind power's benefits outweigh risk to scenery

Opinion: The anti-wind forces care more about their picture-perfect vistas than about preserving the earth. FULL STORY

Long hours required for a bread that's special

Jedediah Mayer does it all as the baker and sole proprietor at Rupert Rising Breads. From mixing, kneading and baking to delivering hundreds of loaves a week in his Subaru Outback, Mayer's workday runs from sunrise to after sunset. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

Book, exhibit trace Hudson's history through photos

Byrne Fone and his partner were among the first wave of antiques dealers who opened stores along the main street of Hudson, N.Y., in the 1980s. Now Fone has compiled a book a photos that trace the city's architectural history. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

Can culture save a downtown? Small cities put theory to the test

From Rutland, Vt., to Pittsfield, Mass., and from Glens Falls to Hudson, N.Y., communities are refurbishing old theaters and rehabbing abandoned factories, trying to create a lively cultural life in neglected downtowns. But some see pitfalls in an economy that relies too much on the arts. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY